Total KM = 521

Howdy, y'all. Welcome to the Kentucky hill country. Y'all are 'specially welcome if yer on a motorsickle 'cuz there are some of the best dangnabbit curvy roads to be found anywhar!

Just make shure y'all don't attract any of them revenuers 'cuz the still is in the old house on that thar hill. Y'all hear?

Now to get serious about our great day. Forgot to mention that yesterday we had to cross the mighty Mississippi River and then immediately the Ohio river to enter Kentucky - over two very long bridges. The shores of both rivers were well up into the trees. We were trying to decide if that is the normal or is it due to flooding.

There were some pretty dark clouds this morning but only a small cloud burst while we were stopped at a gas station this afternoon so we considered ourselves very lucky. We again were able to stay off the main roads and travelled the back roads which were wonderful motorcycle roads, lots of curves, great scenery and mostly good pavement.

We started by riding into the Land Between the Lakes Park. There was evidence of extensive tree damage - especially the conifers - which was caused by a January ice storm. The visitor center attendant was telling us they had to close the park for over three weeks until they could clear up the main roads and get power back to the tourist center.

We made our way through the southern Kentucky countryside enjoying the great weather and green rolling hills. Lots of beautiful horses with their young. Also saw a great contrast in accomodations. We saw some beautiful mansions as well as some pretty ramshakle places right down the road. Also lots of evidence of flooding. We made a point of riding through numerous little towns, pretty quaint, even saw the Amish in their horse drawn buggies. Stopped at South Union to visit the Shakers museum, gift shop and grounds. You may remember the Shakers for their furniture style. A splinter sect from the Quakers, the group reached maximum size of about 6,000 full members in 1840, but as of July 2008 had only four members left. Very interesting.

Need to comment on how friendly we have found people this entire trip. It seems like every time we stop for a break someone comes to ask if we need anything. During the storm riding yesterday I think any one of them would have taken us home if we asked. Everyone has their own opinion on the weather and what we should plan to see and do. They all just want to chat for a minute. The accents are getting a little harder to understand too but then that just makes it even more interesting.

Tonight we find ourselves in Williamsburg, KY, looking forward to Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains tomorrow.